Maserati Quattroporte II – dead on arrival

Maserati Quattroporte II – dead on arrival
Progress on this Citroën SM-derived four-door stalled when the French firm faltered in the mid-’70s
Lancia Fulvia Coupé – dead on arrival

Lancia Fulvia Coupé – dead on arrival
It could’ve re-ignited a lust for Lancias, but instead this retro two-seater stalled at the concept stage
Panther Solo 1 – dead on arrival

Panther Solo 1 – dead on arrival
This lightweight, mid-engined Brit came achingly close to being an affordable ’80s hero
Alpine GTA USA – dead on arrival

Alpine GTA USA – dead on arrival
The tale of how a revised ’80s Alpine nearly became a halo car for Renault in America
Alfa Romeo Tipo 103 – dead on arrival

Alfa Romeo Tipo 103 – dead on arrival
This compact four-door might have rivalled the mighty Mini in the 1960s if Alfa had kept the faith

Daihatsu Charade 926R – dead on arrival

Daihatsu Charade 926R – dead on arrival
This mid-engined miniature hero was another rally-ready special lost with the cancellation of Group B
Saab PhoeniX – dead on arrival

Saab PhoeniX – dead on arrival
The Swedish brand’s failed 2010s revival meant we missed out on a 400bhp hybrid TT rival – and more
Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint 6C - dead on arrival

Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint 6C - dead on arrival
In 1982 Alfa Romeo showed off a widebody, mid-engined Alfasud destined for Group B rallying. Here's why it never came to fruition
The FWD Chevrolet Camaro GM‑80 – dead on arrival

The FWD Chevrolet Camaro GM‑80 – dead on arrival
How General Motors’ performance linchpin was spared the indignity of losing drive to the rear
Toyota 222D – dead on arrival

Toyota 222D – dead on arrival
This 750bhp rallying MR2 could have seen Toyota conquer the stages, but instead fate intervened
Chrysler ME Four-Twelve – dead on arrival

Chrysler ME Four-Twelve – dead on arrival
In 2004, Chrysler showed off a radical supercar concept with an 850bhp V12. Sadly it never came to be.
Porsche 984 Junior – dead on arrival

Porsche 984 Junior – dead on arrival
This miniature marvel could have seen Porsche enter the ’90s with a truly affordable entry-level sports car
Volkswagen W12 Syncro – dead on arrival

Volkswagen W12 Syncro – dead on arrival
A genuine supercar from the maker of people’s cars seemed tantalisingly possible – until logic prevailed
Daihatsu X-021 sports car – dead on arrival

Daihatsu X-021 sports car – dead on arrival
Daihatsu was on the verge of launching a lightweight MX-5-rivalling roadster in the '90s, but it never came to be
Ford GN34 – dead on arrival

Ford GN34 – dead on arrival
This Ghia-styled, mid-engined V6 coupe came close to becoming Ford’s answer to the Honda NSX
Volkswagen Golf A59 – dead on arrival

Volkswagen Golf A59 – dead on arrival
This 4WD homologation special with 400bhp potential could have rescued the Mk3 Golf’s reputation
MG PR2 – dead on arrival

MG PR2 – dead on arrival
In an alternate reality, the MGF could have been a front-engined V8 roadster
1990 BMW M8 – dead on arrival

1990 BMW M8 – dead on arrival
A 613bhp V12 and a 340kg diet could have enhanced the original 8-series’ reputation – but for the price
Talbot Horizon Lotus – dead on arrival

Talbot Horizon Lotus – dead on arrival
The Sunbeam Lotus successor was mid-engined and turbocharged, but lacked another vital ingredient
Alpine A710 – dead on arrival

Alpine A710 – dead on arrival
It didn’t get to succeed the A610, but instead transformed into one of the ’90s most extreme sports cars
Mercedes-Benz C112 – dead on arrival

Mercedes-Benz C112 – dead on arrival
Despite strong demand, this V12-powered supercar was denied production – but its legacy lives on
HSV HRT 427 – dead on arrival

HSV HRT 427 – dead on arrival
This racing-inspired 7-litre Holden Monaro garnered more than enough interest for its limited production run to sell out. But sadly the sums didn’t ad…
Mini-based sports car – dead on arrival

Mini-based sports car – dead on arrival
Not one but two attempts were made to spin a two-seater sports car off the original Mini’s platform, but flaws in their designs would see both stall a…
Volkswagen AE 266 – dead on arrival

Volkswagen AE 266 – dead on arrival
Few cancelled automotive projects have had such significant consequences, or been as costly, but the culling of VW’s original choice for a Beetle succ…
Ford GT70 – dead on arrival

Ford GT70 – dead on arrival
It was supposed to be Ford’s first mid-engined rally contender, to be joined by 500 homologation road cars, but a plethora of problems saw it stall at…
Leyland Force 7 – dead on arrival

Leyland Force 7 – dead on arrival
This V8-powered hatchback was all set to take on the Australian muscle car establishment until the twin 1970s woes of the oil crisis and Leyland build…
Lamborghini P140 – dead on arrival

Lamborghini P140 – dead on arrival
A V10-engined ‘Baby Lamborghini’ was in development more than a decade before the Gallardo was launched in 2003. This is the story of why it it never …
Opel Omega V8 – dead on arrival

Opel Omega V8 – dead on arrival
It would have been the understated successor to the Lotus Carlton, if only it could’ve stayed cool
Rover P6BS/P9 – Dead on arrival

Rover P6BS/P9 – Dead on arrival
This mid-engined, V8-powered three-seater could have been Rover’s first sports car, but a
wary rival within the British Leyland empire ensured it wo…
Renault Clio RS16 – Dead on arrival

Renault Clio RS16 – Dead on arrival
With 271bhp, a manual gearbox and a weaponised chassis, this ‘SuperClio’ could have restored the Renault Sport Clio’s reputation, but instead it had t…
Ford RS1700T – Dead on arrival

Ford RS1700T – Dead on arrival
Even turbo power and a switch to rear-wheel drive couldn’t make the Mk3 Escort competitive against the upcoming mid-engined, 4WD weapons of 1980s rall…
Lotus M90 Elan – Dead on arrival

Lotus M90 Elan – Dead on arrival
Financial issues, the death of the company founder and a change of drivetrain ethos at a Japanese giant all played their part in the demise of this 19…
Mid-engined Audi Quattro – Dead on arrival

Mid-engined Audi Quattro – Dead on arrival
When Lancia and Peugeot threatened Audi’s early-’80s rallying dominance, a secret plan was hatched to build a new car. But one photo was all it took t…
MG ZT XPower 385 – Dead on arrival

MG ZT XPower 385 – Dead on arrival
MG Rover’s collapse put paid to plans for a 385bhp production version of the Prodrive‑developed, rear-drive V8 Rover 75